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Google Acquires Enterprise-Friendly Device Manager Divide

Google has acquired Divide, a New York-based company that offers a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) solution for corporate environments. Following the acquisition, Divide’s team will likely focus on making Android devices more enterprise-friendly. Divide sets up an encrypted workspace so users do not have to worry about privacy or about the company wiping the device. The amount that Google paid for Divide was undisclosed.

There are now over 1 billion Android devices used worldwide, which means it is the leading mobile operating system. With a large number of Android devices connecting to corporate networks, it is very important to keep the devices secure. Divide also has an Apple iPhone app that will continue to be supported. Divide syncs with Exchange ActiveSync, Google Apps and Lotus Notes. When you want to get work done, all you have to do is simply input your password to access the workspace.

Divide’s features include:1.) Work Calendar – You can use this feature to create and edit meetings, accept or decline invitations and highlight VIP calendar alerts.2.) Work Contacts – This feature has a corporate directory lookup so that you can mark contacts as VIPs and export data to personal address books.3.) Secure File Storage – There is a file storage program that lets you save, view and share attachments.4.) Tasks – The tasks feature lets you set, edit, sort and delete tasks.5.) Private Browser – This feature lets you surf the Internet while on a corporate network without having to worry about privacy issues or malicious content.

Founded four years ago, Divide used to be known as Enterproid. Divide was launched by former Morgan Stanley executives: David Zhu, Alexander Trewby and Andrew Toy. The three of them believed smartphones and tablets would play a major role in demand for device management by enterprises.

Divide’s basic features are free, but it has a premium service that costs $60 per user per year called Divide Enterprise. Divide Enterprise offers full remote management, fleet management, IT policy enforcement, enterprise app deployment, admin console, branding and VPN proxy.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Divide is joining Google! The company was founded with a simple mission: Give people the best mobile experience at work. As part of the Android team, we’re excited to continue developer solutions that our users love,” said Divide on its website. “For existing customers, Divide will work as it always has. Thank you to everyone who has downloaded our app, partnered with us, invested in us and provided feedback along the way.”

Before the acquisition, Google invested in Divide through its venture capital arm Google Ventures. Other Divide investors include Comcast Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Globespan Capital Partners and Harmony Partners. Divide raised a total of about $25 million in funding since launching.

This is not the first time that Google acquired a startup that Google Ventures invested in. Google Ventures put money into Nest Labs in two rounds of funding and then Google acquired it for $3.2 billion in January 2014. Google Ventures also put money into Milk and BufferBox, which were both acquired by Google in 2012.

Have you used Divide before? Do you believe it is a useful tool for corporate networks? Let us know in the comments below!

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